The purpose of the Waste Management Plan is to describe the principles, procedures and management of the waste generated by Biotao.

Biotao has developed this Plan to ensure wastes are reduced, reused and recycled wherever possible.

Biotao is also commited to meeting legislative requirements and exceeding community expections.

The Waste Management Plan outlines measures to manage and mitigate waste generation and resource consumption during the Biotao's Operations.

The Plan includes details on the following:

  • The types and quantities of waste generated during operation;
  • Procedures to collect and dispose of waste;
  • Measures that will be implemented to minimise waste generation associated with the developments and operations; and
  • A program for monitoring the effectiveness of these measures.

The Waste Management Plan is designed to support an ecological based management approach underpinned by adaptive management principles.

Surplus or waste materials arise from either the materials imported to, or from those generated on sites of operation. Imported materials are those which are brought to the site for inclusion in the operations. Generated materials are those that occur during the daily operations of the site i.e. damaged stock and waste water.

This Plan also considers other aspects to waste management such as waste reduction, segregation of waste, disposal of waste, financial impacts of waste disposal and recording, monitoring, education and reviewing. This Plan outlines the waste management procedures that have been put in place and demonstrate the benefits to the environment, how we can measure the effects and how these procedures and practices are sustainable.

Waste Types

The operations of Biotao generates a range of surplus/waste materials including but not limited to;

  • Biological
  • General Waste
  • obsolete/worn infrastructure
  • Contaminated/Hazardous Wastes

Waste Categories

The following table provides an overview of potential wastes, their classification and avenues of disposal.

Waste materials fall into four main categories for management, which include:

  • Re use;
  • Recycle;
  • Residual wastes; and
  • Landfill.

Re-use
If surplus materials can be used in future operations they are classified as materials which can be re-used. Materials that can be reused in their present form and are surplus to requirements will need to be removed from sites of operation for other reuse opportunities. The surplus products will be labelled and storage area recorded for future reference.

Recycling
If surplus materials cannot be reused in their present form but could be used in a different form, they will be sent to recycling or labelled as future recycling.

Residual Waste
Residual waste can come in several forms including:

  • Waste that cannot be disposed of due to its category, class or material (e.g. old tyres, metals and contaminated waste). Ways of reusing or disposing of the waste from the sites of operation needs to found; and
  • Unused machinery, spare parts or discarded parts. All items of this nature will be identified and dated. These items will be assessed quarterly to gauge their importance for potential future use. Once an item is deemed to have little or no future potential to be utilised, it will be either assessed for reuse in another form or disposed of from the site.

Residual waste can be an eyesore, fire hazard and has potential to impact on the environment through leachates. All residual wastes will be identified and new residual wastes will be added to the residual waste catalogue for auditing. Residual wastes that are deemed essential or have the potential for future use will be stored in a neat and tidy manner and where possible under cover to avoid or reduce the potential for further corrosion or damage to the product.

Landfill
If the above options cannot be satisfied then the only alternative left is to send the surplus materials to landfill. This should be considered an option of last resort.

Waste Collection and Disposal

Chemicals
Storage of waste chemicals such as oils will be held to an absolute minimum on sites of operation. Containers with waste oil or other chemicals will be stored within impervious bunds.

Adequate absorption materials shall be readily available to collect and recover any liquid spillages. Chemical wastes will be disposed of through an approved waste contractor.

Contaminated / Hazardous Wastes

All materials generated by Biotao will be fully evaluated for potential contamination.

Notice to staff will be given immediately if hazardous materials or conditions are found onsite that are in unprotected environments including the following:

  • Asbestos or material containing asbestos;
  • Flammable or explosive liquids or gases;
  • Toxic or contaminated materials;
  • Radiation or radioactive materials;
  • Noxious or explosive chemicals;
  • Tanks, containers or other contaminated substances.

Depending on the type of material and the danger level of the material, storage and handling procedures may be required. Biotao operations should not require high volume highlevel hazardous products to be on sites of operation.

If contaminated wastes are evident, the Unit Manager/Farm Manager will be advised so that arrangements can be made for the engagement of appropriately qualified specialists in hazardous materials handling. Any contaminated waste will be managed in accordance with relevant WH&S policies.

Waste Minimisation

Wastes from the Biotao's operation have the potential to impact on the environment and the viability of the our activities. The Waste Management Plan has been developed to manage the risk associated with the potential impacts including minimising waste generation.

Biotao will implement all possible waste minimisation procedures and therefor reduce the amount of waste to be removed from sites of operation. Management, staff, design teams, contractors and suppliers will all be encouraged to look at ways to minimise the amount of waste generated at sites of operation.

Biotao will follow the following priciples in minimising waste from our operations;

  • Sourcing tools and supplies that can be reasonably maintained and repaired under normal use for their purpose.
  • Building capacity for in-house operational manufacturing, repairs and maintence.
  • A program of correctly idenifying tools and supplies required for operational capacity and having plans inplace to recover and reuse surplus to needs tools and supplies.

The Manager, Farm Manager or appointed delegate will be responsible for ensuring the instruction of workers and contractors, implementation and overseeing of the Waste Management Plan during induction processes.

The onsite induction relating to waste management will include advice on appropriate separation, handling, recycling, reuse methods to be used by all parties conducting operations were applicable.

Regular toolbox meetings will include discussion of waste management issues and updates on how to minimise wastes.

The monitoring of wastes generated will provide an opportunity to review the wastes being generated and ways in which they can be reduced.

Training

Biotao recognises the need for staff and contractors to be appropriately trained in the tasks that they are to undertake to reduce the chance of wastes being produced.

Monitoring

Biotao is committed to minimising the risks associated with the generation of wastes in our operations.

The monitoring of the quantity and types of wastes being generated by the Biotao operations will be recorded in the wastes log book and kept electronically at all times so that regular reviews can be undertaken.

All products that are considered to be of a concern in relation to the waste being generated will be replaced were possible for products that are less wasteful and/or considered to be environmentally friendly.

All waste storage containers will be inspected weekly to ensure that they are maintained in a condition appropriate for their use and containment of the specific waste.

Skips and/or bins will need to be monitored regularly to ensure that cross contamination doesn’t occur. All waste removed from site including products for reuse will also be monitored to ensure no cross contamination.

Biotao will continue to review the type of surplus materials produced and were possible change operation processes to minimise products that go to landfill. Intact recovery, recycling or reuse of wastes are a priority.

The Waste Management Plan and its importance will be communicated to the whole team regularly. Business wide updates including improved recovery and recycling amounts will be communicated and discussed at management and toolbox meetings.

The Waste Management Plan will be analysed to produce key performance indicators and it will be the principle and farm manager’s responsibility to develop best practice solutions throughout the Biotao's operations and monitor them.